Chicago White Sox: Is the Breaking Point Coming This Weekend?

The Chicago White Sox have played like a wavering girlfriend.  The White Sox stumbled out to a dreary 10-18 April record.  Then, they turned in 10 wins in 15 games in May.  Once they hit 43-43, the White Sox lost five straight games.  Again, in August, the White Sox would drop six straight, indicating to all concerned parties that they would soon fall out of the race.  Suddenly, the White Sox woke up and won nine of 11.

Would the White Sox stop treating their fans like harried boyfriends?

As soon as White Sox fans found their latest semblance of hope, they lost five of their last seven games.  In the words of one Baseball Prospectus writer, the White Sox are a fluky team.

The hitting had been strong in the first half of the month, but after scoring 3.3 runs per game in the last seven, they're starting to show their true colors again.  Carlos Quentin did the offense no favor by falling silent in his last few games, and then spraining his shoulder while making a diving catch.

Also, Zach Stewart is revealing himself as a sub-par spot starter.  A scout had said after his first start that he has average stuff, perhaps his fastball is good, but he will not become a very good starter.  This was evident in his thrashing Wednesday night at the hands of the Angels of Anaheim, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  Erick Aybar happily pounced on pitches to drive in three runs.  Also, Torii Hunter jumped on one and sent it out of the park.

White Sox fans should hope for a steady return from Phil Humber.

At any rate, the Sox stand six-and-a-half games behind the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central with hardly a chance to rally with only 34 games left.  This weekend might be the breaking point since the White Sox have played poorly historically in Seattle.

On the other hand, they may tug at their fans' heart strings with a sweep—since their recent trips to Seattle have defied history—while the Tigers slide.  Then, they might dominate the Tigers in the two remaining series.

Indicators are that the White Sox will not make the playoffs.  Playing the way they have this season, they shouldn't.  In all likelihood, the Tigers will win the division, regardless of what they might do to take themselves out of contention.

This is the Tigers' division to lose.  The White Sox have only a slight chance to steal it if Detroit tumbles. In all likelihood, the White Sox won't muster the energy.  When the White Sox throw in the towel is the looming question.